1 _The rulers make them new laws_. 2 _And close the bazaars_. 5
_They give more light_. 9 _They tax the profits that were made
because of the war_. 13 _Bribery flourisheth_. 15 _The petrol is
conserved_. 18 _They that seek after pleasure are taxed_. 20 _The
taxes are paid gladly_. 23 _Concerning commissions_. 29 _And
Northcliffe_.
Take heed, all ye that read, and pay attention, for _these_ are the
things that the rulers of the land of En _did_ lay upon the people at
a time when there was war.
2 ¶ Now they did make them a law and did enjoin upon all the dealers
in merchandise that _they should_ cease from trafficking in the
market places in the youth of the night; yea, at eight hours _after_
midday were they constrained to stop from selling their wares and
merchandise.
3 And the reason thereof was uncertain, some saying it was _for a
means_ of saving fuel, whilst others did say it was because those
that served in the bazaars _were_ few and needed them rest.
4 But there were many that did say it _was_ but the spirit of
interference that was rife in the land; and they were filled _with_
suspicion, thinking that the _early_ closers were grinding them
_their_ axe.
5 ¶ And in the summer season the rulers did give unto the people more
light. And _it was_ the light of day that they bestowed, but upon
_the doings_ of the war they shed no more light.
6 Now the giving of more light was one of the things that the rulers
did wisely, _wherefore_ the people did praise them; and they were
amazed, for it was not the custom amongst the men of En to praise the
rulers _of_ the land.
7 Neither was there _often_ cause therefor, for a wise ruler is
precious _beyond_ price, howbeit many a fool is raised unto an high
place;
8 For the fool speaketh _sometimes_ wisdom, and it _is_ recorded.
But the foolishness of fools do men forget.
9 ¶ And certain men did set them about for to find a means whereby
they might _make_ a good _thing_ out of the war.
10 And when word was brought unto the rulers _concerning_ what they
were doing, they did make them a law. And they did take unto
themselves a certain share from the profits that _these_ men did
gather in.
11 And those that were at one with the patriots complained not; and
those _that were_ making them _enough_, neither did these complain.
12 _And_ they that _did_ do things for the rulers _out of_ the
generosity of their hearts, even these went not empty away.
13 ¶ And there were certain men amongst the servants of the rulers
that did ask for _sweet_ oil, and they _did_ say unto the traders,
Grease thou the palms of our hands that we _may_ bargain with thee to
thy advantage.
14 And those that _were_ found out were cast into prison, and their
names did stink _most_ vilely _throughout_ the length and breadth of
the land.
15 ¶ And because it was a prudent thing _to do_, the rulers gave unto
them that had chariots only _so much_ of what men called petrol as
was left _over_. And the hosts of En did receive their portion
before all others.
16 Therefore those that were wealthy amongst the people used not
their chariots _save_ when there was need; and they that were _used_
to joy ride, they did do so no more.
17 For in all matters were the people ready to make them sacrifices
_unto_ the needs of the war, and they did do all _those things_ that
were _required of them_ for to bring nearer the end _of it_.
18 ¶ And a tax _was made_ upon all those that did go unto the
theatre; yea, even upon them that did view the pictures and upon them
that did watch men playing _with_ a ball, _was_ the tax imposed.
19 And because it was _not much_, and was, moreover, a righteous tax,
they did pay it gladly; and the number of them that _did_ go unto
such places, it was not less _than_ before.
20 ¶ And there were other taxes also and they were exceeding heavy,
_so that_ all the money that was paid by the people unto the tax
gatherers _was_ great beyond anything that men had thought possible.
21 Nevertheless _there was_ no murmuring in the land, and the people
did push, the one against the other, _to be_ first at the receipt of
custom, every man _with_ his money in his hand.
22 And he that was the chief amongst all the tax gatherers was
amazed. And he spake unto _several_ concerning it, saying, Are not
these that do shower their gold _upon_ me the same that before did
curse my name? When I asked for a mite, _they_ reviled me
shamefully; yet, now I ask for much, behold, they bring it flowing
_over_. For he understood not that this _was_ the spirit of the
nation.
23 ¶ Now when there was any matter that was _beyond_ the rulers so
that they knew not what to do, they would appoint them a commission
for to inquire _concerning_ it.
24 And a commission was an assembly of wise men _that were_ sometimes
foolish; and they would gather themselves together, and they would
question all and sundry, and they would talk.
25 But lest they should do _some thing_ in their carryings on, the
rulers would give them instruction and would speak unto them, saying,
26 Go ye into a room apart and _gather round_. And send the young
men into the highways and into the byways that _they may_ bring unto
you all them that know aught concerning _the matter_. And whatsoever
they may say unto you, that shall ye hear.
27 Afterwards, ye shall make us a report, for _that_ doeth injury
unto no man. But woe be unto you if ye shall do _anything_ that
exceedeth our commandment; verily shall our wrath burn thee up, and
thy bones shall fall away into dust.
28 By this means did the rulers put away for a long time those things
that _were_ vexatious unto them, having faith in the memory of the
people that _it was_ short. Therefore was a commission unto the
rulers _as_ a bag of sand unto him that fighteth, for it was a
_shield_. And the day was not known _whereon_ the rulers appointed
them not a commission.
29 ¶ But there was a _certain_ man and his name was Northcliffe. And
the people were divided into two camps _concerning_ him, some saying
that he _was_ a raiser of scares, whilst others did say that he _knew
things_. And all were agreed that he was a thorn in the side of the
rulers.
30 And when a commission did bring its report unto the rulers, then
did _these_ retire unto the privacy of their bedchambers. And the
report they did take _with them_ for to be a pillow unto their heads.
31 And Northcliffe would raise his voice on high and he would say
many bitter words. And he would arouse them and would make them _to
do_ things.
32 And though many were against him _because of it_, the good that he
did do was manifest. And because he left not the rulers to sleep,
therefore did men call him Helsabout, _which meaneth_ The Awakener.